The AA is welcoming the changes to speed cameras coming into force this weekend that will allow them to recognise trucks or vehicles that are towing something.

The change will mean that if those vehicles are exceeding their 90km/h speed limit on the open road, they will now be able to be caught by a mobile speed camera.

The AA wants everyone to be aware of this change so that people who are towing or in trucks make sure they keep their speed under the safe limit.

“Speed cameras that can recognise a car towing a trailer or a truck and enforce their lower speed limit will help make our roads safer,” says AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

“There have been some drivers not obeying the lower speed when they are towing or in a truck and that makes our roads riskier than they should be and has also been really frustrating for other motorists.

“If you are towing something, your car will take longer to stop and be less stable on the road so there is a good reason to have a lower speed limit.

“The 90km/h limit also means other vehicles are able to more safely pass trucks or people that are towing something. This lessens the chances of a driver getting frustrated and trying a risky overtaking manoeuvre.”

Police are rolling out 45 new mobile differential speed cameras to replace the 31 currently in use.

“Use of this technology will assist in bringing the mean speeds of heavy and towing motor vehicles down to safer levels, which is of benefit to all road users,” National Road Policing Manager Superintendent Carey Griffiths said.

“Speed is a particular risk for these vehicles, with factors including increased distances required to stop safely, rollover when cornering and load security.”

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Communications adviser
New Zealand Automobile Association
M. 027 703 9935
Email: dthomsen@aa.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.